When I was a little girl I did not dream of husbands and children. Oh no. I was going to be a career girl through and through. A doctor if at all possible, if not a nurse would do. One thing I was sure of was that I was going places in the work force. Before attending university (to study nursing. Turns out you need be good at chemistry to be a doctor and I wasn’t. At all.), I took a couple of years out to do my thing. I travelled a bit, mainly to see the ancient sites of Greece and Egypt; I studied for a couple more A levels, y’know just for fun; I did some voluntary work with disabled adults on the coast and I spent a summer in New York State working on a camp with adults with learning difficulties. And it was here I met Gary in the very first week. Within weeks we knew we had each found our partner for life:
At the end of the summer we left to go home, him to Northern Ireland, me to London. Yes we were a holiday romance, but one that lasted. He proposed just a couple of months later, over Christmas. We saw each other as much as we could, but in reality it was only every few months, but we wrote and phoned. Almost a year to the day he proposed we married, a few days before Christmas by candlelight in a 12th Century church. I wore my granny’s wedding dress whilst he wore a kilt!
I was a student nurse and he was a carer. We were blessed when my dad offered us a room at my childhood home to live until I finished my degree.
It was a joy to be married to him. That’s not to say there haven’t been tricky patches. Having three babies in 9 months was hard. Thing is we had got married so young that we effectively grew up together. Those awkward years when you try to work out who you are and where you want to go in life, we spent them together, growing closer, learning together, accepting and even loving the ugliness that is sometimes part of that time.
About six months after I graduated we made the decision for me to be a stay at home wife. He would be my provider and I would be his nurturer. No one was more surprised by this turn of events than me. And yet, throughout our marriage it has proven to be the wisest decision we have taken. Money has been short, but companionship and lots and lots of laughter have been present in bucket loads. I will be forever grateful that I married a man who supported and desired that I be at home.
For me Gary is the very essence of what a man should be. He is strong- physically but more importantly in his character. He is fiercely loyal, even when times are tough. He works so hard to provide for his family, at times working at more than three jobs so I could stay at home. He goes to work even when ill. He never fears unemployment because his attitude is that he will work at any job going. And he gives his wife and family that one important thing that women all over the world desire. Love. A gentle, forever kind of love. A love that wraps its arms around our hearts with a determination never to let go, regardless of how tough it sometimes is. A love that will speak up, sometimes bluntly, always thoughtfully, saying that which needs to said, needs to be heard and yet is hard to both say and hear. It is a love that will hang around forever.
But the thing I love most about my gorgeous husband is how he is with our children. He makes the unselfish decision, everyday, that their welfare comes before his own. He arrives home, after being up since 430am, to a barrage of children throwing themselves at him, all clambering for a hug. He is a hands on dad from the moment he walks through our front door to the moment each and every child is tucked up safely in bed. There is nothing more a mummy could want for her children than a father who takes his responsibility as daddy seriously.
Why am I writing all this? His birthday is coming up and it reminded me of us returning from America all those years ago to celebrate his 21st birthday. Seventeen years.
I don’t know why he chose me, but I am so, so pleased he did.
Beautiful… blessed that you are blessed with a man such as Gary. In your words I see my Craig… good, strong men who love fiercely and loyally and who have soft, gentle hearts. Big hug!
Not very long now, Liezel, have you got anything special planned, or shouldn’t I ask….wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more! Okay I’ll grow up now! I am so praying that everything just goes perfectly on Craig’s arrival home!
Now now Ms Claire… this is a family blog… I have not seen my husband in a year… *ahem*… and by the way… ALL nurses make the worst patients ever. Ever ever ever…
I am literally sitting here giggling away!! I’ve got a nasty chest infection and I HATE BEING ILL!!!
And yes you’re quite right this is a family blog (although some witty comment about the ins and outs of making family is on the tip of my tongue, but I shall resist!!)
Thank you sweetheart. I couldn’t have asked for a better wife. Someone who puts the needs of others before herself and never complains about it. You are an amazing woman and I am so blessed to be your husband.
I’m not entirely certain the no complaining bit is accurate. Have I told you today I don’t feel well and I hate being ill?? Maybe just about a hundred times today! Oh, and Gary? I HATE being ill! You see, I can complain with the best of them!
When you are ill well that is a completely different situation. You are the worst patient ever but you know what ……….. I still love you very much. Hope you are feeling better today.
I can’t possibly be the WORST patient ever! Surely there has to be someone worse than me?
PS I HATE BEING ILL!!!
What a sweet and wonderful testimony. I think you love story is perfect. Having someone to cherish and hold it the most wonderful part of life, it makes the hard days so much easier.
Blessings, Dawn
You are so right. Even when times are hard, having someone hold your hand and tell you everything will work out is such a gift. Thanks Dawn!
Lovely Claire. Say happy birthday to Gary!
Thanks Beenie! And I’ll tell Gary.
What a beautiful tribute to your husband! God bless!
Thank you Shelly. Blessings to you too!
What a wonderful Testament to your husband and your family! Love finds us and grows where it is planted and tended to-Many more happy birthdays!! And Eat Lots of CAKE-I know there is a Chefette who is going to whip up something wonderful!
He, he! Chefette! I like that. I like that a lot!
Aww. You are very blessed in deed. What an amazing gift you have received between children and supportive husband. I am very happy for you Claire. Good job ‘living the dream’…xox Jeanine
You’ve hit the nail on the head, Jeanine. That is truly how I feel, that I’m living my dream. Thanks for popping by, I hope things are continuing to improve for you and the pain has gone now?
What a beautiful tribute – your family warms my heart.
I’m not sure I’m meant to say this out loud, but it warms mine as well. Thank you so much.
I think the best present ever is what you wrote down. Hope to see you soon.xo
You know me too well. That is exactly what I was wanting. I think it was as well!
This is one of the most romantic things I’ve read. Happy birthday Gary! I hope it’s a great day.
Thanks Ticia!
In society today, where divorce is so common, it is refreshing to hear your love story. Thanks for sharing 🙂
It’s my pleasure! I thought Gary might like to see in writing just how fab I think he is!
Your story warms my heart, Claire. Thank you for sharing it. At a time when our society seems to have lost sight of the importance of family, honour, and adult responsibilities, yours is an amazing story of a truly wonderful family and of a very honourable man providing for his family. What a great role model your husband is to your children.
I so agree! Gary would say he had a great role model in his dad. All his brothers are the same – all hard working family men. How we parent is so important to the future generations, isn’t it?
just reading this now. Beautiful. I must say you did a wonderful job of helping our son to grow into the man he is. Can’t wait to see you all. xxxxxxx
Sweet of you to say, but he definitely comes from good stock!!
Can’t wait to see you too!